Biocompatible material in granules made of metal material or metal alloys and use of said granules for vertebroplasty

Abstract

More specifically, granules made of biocompatible metal material, preferably osteoinductive metal, for use in vertebroplasty surgery, as well as the use of these granules for this purpose, are the object of the present invention.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention concerns transcutaneous vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty surgery.[0002]More specifically, granules made of biocompatible metal material, preferably osteoinductive metal, to be used in vertebroplasty, and also the use of these granules for this purpose, are the object of the present invention.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Vertebroplasty, or kyphoplasty, is a treatment used in patients with vertebral compression fractures.[0004]Many causes can determine the collapse of a vertebra under the action of the compressive forces that normally affect the spinal column: painful compression fractures from osteoporotic, traumatic or osteolytic compression of the thoracic or lumbar vertebrae can occur. The main causes are osteoporosis, multiple myeloma, vertebral metastases, or more simply a trauma.[0005]As is known (see accompanying FIGS. 1 and 2), the vertebrae 10 have a main body 11 of a substantially cylindrical shape (or better, slightly “hou...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention seeks to overcome the drawbacks of the current methods used in kyphoplasty surgeries. Specifically, the invention aims to eliminate the problems associated with the use of cement (PMMA) in such surgeries. The invention proposes a biocompatible material that can replace cement and promote bone regeneration and osseointegration to treat compromised bones and restore their mechanical load-supporting function.

Problems solved by technology

These surgeries, as can also be understood by those not skilled in the art, are very invasive both due to the fact that they require the surgeon to create a large access means, and due to the fact that the application of rods, screws and nails is in any case an surgery that is heavy for the patient's body and burdensome from the point of view of the body's full adaptation in the presence of the prosthesis.

On the other hand, many drawbacks are associated with the use of PMMA in kyphoplasty.

A very first drawback connected to the use of cement is the development of heat generated by the polymerization reaction, which is highly exothermic.

Such high polymerization temperatures can cause localised bone necrosis problems.

A further disadvantage arising from the use of cement consists of the fact that microscopic cement fragments can become detached and escape from the main body of the vertebra through the fractured cortical bone fractured.

Not least, a problem left unresolved by the kyphoplasty surgeries of the type described thus far and which use cement to restore the support function performed by the cancellous bone having trabecular structure, consists of the fact that the surgery does not treat the compromised bone, in particular it does not treat the fracture, but limits itself to replacing the compromised cancellous bone with a synthetic material that accomplishes the support function performed by the healthy bone.

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